Exercise Dharma Guardian

1. Exercise Dharma Guardian (7th edition) recently commenced (February 2026) at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, in Uttarakhand.
2. About Exercise Dharma Guardian
   1. Annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces which is conducted alternatively in India and Japan and is a key pillar of their defence cooperation.
   2. Aim: To strengthen bilateral military collaboration, enhance interoperability, improve combined capabilities and promote tactical coordination and strategic trust.
   3. Key Tactical Activities: The exercise focuses on realistic operational drills to simulate counter terror and urban warfare scenarios, like:
      1. Establishment of a Temporary Operating Base
      2. Development of an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid
      3. Setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts
      4. Conducting Cordon and Search Operations in hostile environments
      5. Executing Heliborne Operations
      6. Undertaking House Intervention Drills
3. Other India–Japan Military Exercises
   1. Malabar (Naval Exercise): Multilateral exercise involving India, Japan, US and Australia to strengthen maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
   2. JIMEX (Naval Exercise): Bilateral exercise (India and Japan) focusing on maritime security.
   3. SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force): Joint air exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

FAQs

Q1. What is Exercise Dharma Guardian? 

It is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces, conducted alternately in India and Japan.

Q2. What is the aim of Exercise Dharma Guardian? 

To strengthen bilateral military collaboration, enhance interoperability, improve combined capabilities, and promote tactical coordination and strategic trust.

Q3. What tactical activities are practiced in Exercise Dharma Guardian? 

The exercise includes counter-terror and urban warfare drills such as:

1. Establishing a Temporary Operating Base
2. Developing an ISR grid
3. Setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts
4. Conducting Cordon and Search Operations
5. Executing Heliborne Operations
6. Undertaking House Intervention Drills

Q4. Where is the 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian being held? 

It commenced in February 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia in Uttarakhand, India.

Q5. What India–Japan military exercises exist other than Exercise Dharma Guardian?

1. Malabar – multilateral naval exercise with India, Japan, US, and Australia
2. JIMEX – bilateral naval exercise
3. SHINYUU Maitri – joint air force exercise